1.1.7 Preparing Youth for Leaving Care

This section contains transition planning standards for services provided by mandated child and family services agencies.

• Policy

  Planning Process

  At the planning stage, the case manager and the key individuals identified at the assessment stage develop ways to address the needs and issues of the youth and where applicable the family.

  Planning also ensures that any risk factors identified in the assessment are addressed so youth are safe and personal and family functioning are strengthened.

  Plans must be flexible, reviewed regularly and revised to recognize successes and changing needs. To recognize success, outcomes must be described in measurable ways.

• Standards

  Age of Majority / Transitional Planning

  The case manager is responsible for ensuring that all youth in care, regardless of legal status, at the age of 15, have a detailed transition plan with a view to them leaving care. The plan must involve the assessment and development of skills needed for adult living.

  If the youth is 15 years or older and is expected to return to their family prior to their 18th birthday the transition plan will also reflect the family’s involvement, where appropriate, in the following process.

  Preparations for becoming an adult include but are not limited to ensuring the youth can access the following if appropriate:

  • referrals to appropriate adult services
  • continued medical, dental and prescription coverage
  • development of an Agreement with Young Adults to be offered for supported services which reflects the cultural background identified by the youth
  • ability to identify the process to secure safe and appropriate housing with additional support
  • explore and identify future learning opportunities including post secondary education, trades and other training that would enable the youth to enter or continue in the workforce
  • assistance and referral to available funding sources for continued lifelong learning

  Preparation for becoming an adult includes, but is not limited to ensuring the youth has the following skills:

  • ability to perform basic life skills such as laundry, shopping and maintain personal hygiene
  • understand basic concepts of money management including banking, paying rent, bidgeting and credit cards prior to and after transition planning is completed
  • plan for employment readiness
  • development of a stable social support network prior to and after reaching adulthood

  All transition plans must include evidence of consultation with the youth and where appropriate, alternative care providers, legal guardians, educators, family of origin and/or any other applicable parties identified in the care plan by the youth.